Direct Relief’s emergency response to the Peru quake continues with a second emergency air shipment of 16 tons of humanitarian aid. FedEx is again donating transportation to Direct Relief, along with Peruvian carrier Cielos de Peru, in response to the tragic August 15 earthquake in Peru that has killed at least 513 people.

The materials include an emergency supply of first aid materials provided by Johnson & Johnson, as well as personal care products, sutures, iodine tablets for water purification, and nebulizers with albuterol medication for asthmatics and people with other breathing difficulties.

The contents were specifically requested by Direct Relief’s Peruvian partners and will be consigned to the Archdiocese of Lima, which has launched extensive relief efforts in response to the quake and also is attempting to assist people who are suffering from the severe cold snap in the interior mountain regions. The Friday shipment also contains 4000 wool blankets for the many displaced residing in parks and shelters.

In addition to providing needed physical comfort, the blankets and personal hygiene products can help prevent exposure-related health problems and other illnesses that arise in temporary shelter situations with limited sanitation.

Reports from Direct Relief’s partners indicate that transportation and distribution logistics continue to present problems for the relief efforts. The Archdiocese, that has a warehouse independent from the Ministry of Health and other central government staging areas, is less affected by these issues. The Archbishop’s office continues to coordinate efforts with the Peruvian Armed Forces, the Civil Defense, and the Ministry of Health.

Friday’s $126,000 shipment (wholesale value) follows the initial emergency shipment furnished last week containing more than $92,000 of material. We anticipate providing an additional material aid being furnished next week as needs lists are refined from on-the-ground assessments.

Direct Relief is tentatively planning another shipment of aid next week which will contain further medicines and personal care items for the shelters.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to those who have furnished cash and in-kind support to assist people in Peru. We will use any such restricted donations only for Peru without any deduction for administrative expenses. As noted earlier, a generous bequest received last year now pays all Direct Relief’s fundraising and administrative overhead expenses.

Special thanks to the following companies which have donated their products for the humanitarian effort: